IPL would hurt India's chance: Latif

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes BCCI erred by holding the Indian Premier League just ahead of ICC World Twenty20 and it would hurt the title defence of the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side.

"I don't think it was a brilliant idea to have the Indian Premier League before the Twenty20 World Cup. It was poor thinking on part of the Indian cricket officials," Latif told PTI.

He was of the view that the Indian players have been on the road for the last one year and would be tired and jaded for such a major event.

According to him, South Africa stood the best chance to win the title in England.

"South Africa's domestic Twenty20 cricket is of high standard and that will help them in the World Cup. Plus they have some very good all-round players for this form of the game," he said.

On the Asian teams, he said, "Pakistan and India have good teams and some quality players but they will take time to adjust to the English conditions which will be an important factor in deciding the outcome of the tournament." The former wicketkeeper-batsman said as far as Pakistan was concerned, their fielding was not up to the mark.

"Pakistan's batting will be tested in English conditions and their fielding has to be very good. But their strength lies in their bowling," he said.

Latif was adamant that the Twenty20 World Cup would generate more enthusiasm and support among the people compared to the IPL. "The IPL has its own flavor but remember cricket has always based itself around nation vs nation contests and I think definitely the viewership for a India-Pakistan match or an Australia-England clash would always be much greater then watching Deccan Chargers play Bangalore Royals," he said.

The former captain also advised the International Cricket Council to keep a close tab on the number of Twenty20 matches being held around the globe.

"Twenty20 cricket is not real cricket and an overdose could kill the other forms of the game," he added.